Small Element, Big Difference: A comparison of Adam Smith and Karl Marx's view on labor in a capitalist society.

Adam Smith and Karl Marx are both considered few of the most influential giants in social and economical history. When viewing their economical standpoints, it is not difficult to recognize the difference in ideas that they have regarding society. Adam Smith is an advocator for capitalism and the wealth that can be accumulated in it, while Karl Marx critiques on the flaws of capitalism and praises communism that will overthrow the capitalist society. However, both …

…Marx, who believes that labor is actually forced due to oppressive specialization, views a capitalist society only as a problematic stepping-stone that can raise the production of the country. Viewing today, the communist revolution is unlikely to occur in the new future because individuals are not entirely deprived from their means of production. With the means of production, alienation will not be complete, leading to a more stable capitalist society than what Karl Marx predicted.